Carburetor idler jet control means



May 12, 1959 F. c. WOLFE 2,836,020 i v CARBURETOR IDLER JET CONTROLMEANS -1 Filed t. 14 1955 v 3 Sheets-Sheet l Z5 1 95 5 37 38 27 J J7 15.24 INVENTOR.

May 12, 1959 F. c. WOLFE 2,386,020

CARBURETOR IDLER JET CONTROL MEANS Filed Oct. 14, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

IN V EN TOR.

May 12, 1959 F. c. WOLFE ,3

CARBURETOR IDLER JET CONTROL MEANS Filed Oct. 14, 1955 5 Sheets-sheaf. a

IN V EN TOR..

* United q States PatfitO 2,886,020 cAnn Rn'ro rn ER rm" CONTROL MEANSFred C. Wolfe, Burbank, Calif.

Application October 14, 1955, Serial No. 540,372

19 Claims. (21. 123-124 This invention relates to carburetion controldevices and more particularly to an improved and novel form thereofelfective to reduce the amount of fuel supplied to the engines ofautomotive vehicles during the deceleration cycle with resultantelimination of the discharge of unburned fuel and consequent reductionof smog producing pollutants to the atmosphere and at the same time,realising the attendant saving of fuel.

It is now well settled, that the chief pollutants of th atmosphere whichproduce the conditiontknown as smog are the vaporized constituents ofunburned gasoline which is discharged into the atmosphere. It is,equally well settled that except for improperly adjusted carburetors,the chief source of these pollutants derives from motor vehicles whenthey are coasting atspeeds above, say, fifteen miles per h'ourwith thethrottle closed. These situations prevail at at least two principaltimes, viz., when With the foregoing objects in view, together with suchadditional object and advantages as may subsequently appear, theinvention resides in the parts and in the construction, combination andarrangement of parts, described, by way of example, in the followingspecification of certain presently preferred modes of execution of the.invention; reference being had to the accompanying drawings which form apart of said specification and in which drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevation of a portion of the engine of a motor vehicleshowing one embodiment of the invention applied thereto comprising aswitch means operated by the throttle means and a second switch operatedby a vane disposed in the cooling fan air stream and additionallyshowing in broken lines a modification. of that em bodiment,

a Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the vane shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is anexploded view of the component parts of the idler jet control valvemeans employed in the present invention as a replacement for the idlerjet needle valve screw, 0

mounted on a carburetor as a replacement for each of 1 the idler jetadjusting screwstogether with switch means responsive to throttleposition and engine speed effective to cause the said electricallyoperated valve means to close the idler jets under conditions of aclosed, or nearly closed throttleand an engine speed somewhat above thenormal idling speed. a, j t t 0 Another object of the invention istoprovide a solenoid operated valve construction which can serve "as areplacement for the idler jet adjusting needle valve.

A further object of the invention is to provide an operatingcontrol :fora solenoid operated idler jet valve including means actuated by the airpressure derived from the engine cooling fan of a motor vehicle.

Still another object of the invention isto provide an operating controlfor a solenoid operated idler jet control valve including an enginespeed responsive device and throttle operated means for rendering saidspeed responsive device effective to operate .a switch for energizingand de-energizing said solenoid operated idler jet control valve. i

a A still further object of the invention is to provide a soi Fig. 4 isan enlarged medial sectional view of a manifold attached end of acarburetor and idler jet and showing also in medial section the solenoidoperated valve for the idler jet applied thereto,

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation of the engine of another motorvehicle in which the vane control means can not be conveniently appliedand in which the idler jet control valve. is operated by a single switchthrough the combined action of a centrifugal force responsive meansrotating with the engine and other means attached to the throttle, u t

2 Fig. 6 is an enlarged scale fragmentary elevation of the throttlecarrying portion of the carburetor as viewed from the right hand side ofFig. 5 a

Fig. 7 is an enlarged side elevation of the centrifugal force responsivedevice and the parts of the control cooperating therewith,

Fig. 8 is an embodiment of the invention employing the centrifugal forcedevice but with the modification thereof by the throttle eliminated,

Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of the form of the invention shownin Fig. '1but with the throttle controlled switch replaced by means forrenderingthe vane operated switch operative or inoperative at will,

Fig. 10 is a circuit diagram of the form of the invention shown in Fig.1 and showing a modification thereof in broken lines, and i Figs. 11, 12and 13 are circuit diagrams showing the circuits of the embodiments ofthe invention disclosed inFigs. 5, 8 and 9, respectively. I a

Referring first to Figs 3 and 4 of the drawings, there is shown indetail the solenoid operated valve means of the invention, which valvemeans replaces the needle point screw commonly used to effect adjustmentof the carburetor idler jet or jets. It will be understood that in eachinstallation of a device embodying the invention there will be one ofthese solenoid operated valve devices for each idler jet inthecarburetor and thatwhere a plurality of idler jets is involved suchsolenoids may be connected either in series or in series parallelrelation as best suits the convenience. of the installer. The solenoidoperated valve means 1 comprises a tubular valve guide member 2 which isprovided with external threads 3 at one end thereof for engagement withthe threads T in the body of a carburetor C in whichthe adjusting screwfor the idler jet I is received; the threads 3 beingof sufiicient lengthto permit adjustment of the device in the threads T incident toproviding the proper operating clearance for the valve element.presently to be described. At its "other end the valve guide member isprovided with a thin annular head portion 4 which is engagedbydne-endoftlie' solenoid coil housing sleeve saidend being" spun" inwardly overthe head 4 as best shown in Fig. 3. The sleeve 5 contains and houses asolenoid coil 6 comprising a winding 7 carried by a spool Sfandexteriorly'surrounded by a covering sleeve 9; said spool and coveringsleeve beingformed of suitable nonconductive material. The other end ofthe sleeve 5 is spun over a cover element 10' which secures the coilagainstendwise movement and" which has an axially disposed clearancerecess forming portion 11 for the end of theflreciprocable armature 12.The armature 12 at the end thereof extending toward the valve guide 2carries a valve member comprising a rod 13 slidable in and extendingbeyond the threaded end of the'valve guide 2 and terminating in a needlepoint 14 adapted to engage the idler jet valve seat 5. The valve guidemember 2 beyond the li'ead'portion 4 includes an axially disposed b'os's15'which extends into the interior of the spool 8 and serves as an"abutment limiting travel of the armature 12 in a direction to cause thevalve member to close theidler jet. The adjacent end of the armature 12is'provided with an annular groove 16 and a light compression spring 17surrounding the rod 13 and reacting between the end of the boss 15 andthe'bottom of the groove 16 tends constantly to move the armature andvalve member to the left as viewed in Fig. 3 with resultant opening ofthe idler jet. The device is screwed into the' carburetor body as areplacement for the idler jet adjusting screw and is secured in place byuse of the compression spring 18 which is removed from the adjustingscrew and a sleeve 19 loosely fitting over the valve guide member 2 andwhich provides an abutment for the spring at the point at which it wasengaged by the head of' the replaced adjusting screw. The device isscrewed into the carburetor body until the valve member, when withdrawnby the spring 17, effects the desired restriction of the. jet orificeand the force exerted by the spring 18 serves thereafter to maintain itin adjusted position. Also as shown in Fig. 3 the cover element 10 inthe rim thereof is provided with a notch 20 through which the leads 21and 22 of the coil 7' extend for connection to the controlling switchmeans. As before stated, this valve means is actuated'to close the idlerjets under certain conditions of vehicle operation and the closure iseffected against the force exerted by the spring 17 by energization ofthe coil 7.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 there is shown an embodiment of the inventionin which both a spring biased vane 23and a switch 24 operated therebyand a second switch 25 operated by the throttle comprising the controlfor the solenoid operated valve are employed. In this embodiment of theinvention, the vane 23 is located directly in'rear of the cooling fan Fand is supported by one end of an arm 26 the other end of which ispivotally mounted on a pin 27 carried by a' bracket arm 28 for movementtoward and away from the fan. The bracket arm 28 comprises an extensionone of a pair of arms 29 and 30 rising from a horizontal member 31 whichis carried by a bracket and clamp 32 attached to the generator G of thevehicle. Slidingly mounted in the arms 29 and 30 is a rod 33 whichprojects at one end'beyond the arm 29 and is connected to the vanecarrying arm 26. The opposite end of the rod 33 projects beyond the arm30 and is disposed in the axial line of an operating plunger 34 of thenormally open, snap action switch 24 carried by a bracket arm 35extending laterally from the rear face of the rod supporting arm 30. Acompress'ion spring 36 surrounds the rod 33 between the arms 29 and 30and reacts between the forward face of the arm 30 and a washer 37secured on the rod 33 by a cotter pin 38 tending to move the rod 33 tothe right as viewed in Fig. 1 to the extent permitted by the stopcomprising the cotter pin 39 extending through the rod 33 between thecotter pin 38 and the rear face of' the arm 29 and allowing the vane tooccupy the position shown in full switches.

lines in Fig. 1 unless moved against the bias of the spring 36 by theairstream generated by thefan F. One'of the mounting bolts for thecarburetor C additionally secures a laterally and thence downwardlyextending bracket 40 in the free end of which the normally open switch25 is mounted; said switch comprising an externally threaded shank 41extending through the bracket and being secured therein" by; lock nuts42 at each side of the bracket affording. means for adjustment of theswitch in the bracket; The switch is disposed in the line of thethrottle rod endwhich is attached to the operating arm for thecarburetor throttle valve V and includes a" spring biased plunger 43'extending from" the shank 41 which upon being-coutactedyas the throttlevalve reaches closed position is depressed into the shank with resultantclosing of the contact means within the switch body. This switch is oneobtainable on the open market and further description is not deemednecessary. A lead 44 extends from a source of electrical energyto oneside of the switch 24, a second lead. 45co'nnects the opposite side ofthe switch 24 with one side of the solenoid valve 1, a third lead. 46extends from the sol'er noid to the switch 25, and a fourth lead 47extends' from the opposite side of the switch 25" to the" ground; Inpractice one side of the switch is grounded, but 21 sep? arate ground isshown'for clearn'ess of-"illustration'; It isnot essential that theleads be thus arranged, the only requirement being that thetwo switchesand the solenoid be connected in series relation. Also, if more thanone: solenoid is employed they'can be connected in series'with eachother and with the switches or in parallel as a group with the groupbeiug'connected in series with the The circuit of the above-describedembodiment is shown in'Fig. 10 in which the throttle control and footpedal are designated P.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the device'is shownunder operating conditionsin which the engineis idling. The,

throttle is closed closing the switch 25, but the air-stream,- from theengine fan is insuflicient to displace the vane 23 from the positionimposed by the spring 36 and con sequently, the switch 24 is open andthe solenoid valve is not energized and the idler jet is open.- When thethrottle is opened by pressure on the throttle pedal, the switch 25isopened and upon'the engine reaching a speed which would be equivalentto motion of the vehicle at, say, 15 to 17 m.p.h., the airstreamproduced by the fan and imposed on the vane23 is suflicient to overcomethe bias of the spring 36 and cause the movement of the vane to thedotted line position with resultant closing of the switch 24. However,the switch 25 having'been opened by the opening of the throttle, thecircuit remains open and the idler jet remains open. When, however, thevehicle is moving at a rate sufficient to cause the fan tohold the vane23 in position closing the switch 24 and the throttle is closed withresultant closing of the switch 25 as in coasting down a grade orcoasting to a stop, the circuit is closed, energizing the solenoid andclosing the idler jet or jets. This preventsthe'drawing of excess fuelintothe engine cylinders and'thec'onsequent expulsion of unburned fuelthrough'the exhaust; This unburned fiuel has been shown by-repeatedexperiments to be the most important component ofthe various elements ofsmog which have a deleterious efiect on health and on plant life.

It is to be noted that the invention does not aifect the ordinaryoperation of the carburetor andthat it comes into action only at thosetimesin which the'presence of the generally necessary idlerjetsresults-in adverse effects as well as causing waste of fuel;

Also in Figs. 1 and 10 there is shown in broken lines the use of thedevice with theelimination of the throttle operated switch. This isachieved by connecting the lead 46 directly to ground asindicatedinthe-said broken lines designated 46. Under these conditions"the idler jets are maintained closed by the solenoid valveor valves Thisarrangement is as satisfactory as the two switch is difficult and inwhich there is room for flyball type of speed responsive instrumentalityas, for example on the end of a pump or generator shaft.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the i drive pulley endof the shaft of the generator G carries a flyball type of devicegenerally indicated as 48 and including a base element 49 secured to theend of the shaft by a screw 50; said base element hingedly supporting anL-shaped member 51 including a normally horizontally disposed leg 52 anda vertical leg 53. A tension spring 54 normally holds the L-shapedmember with the legs thereof disposed at an angle to the said verticaland horizontal positions as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 7. Underthe influence of rotation centrifugal force will bring the L-shapedmember to the full line position shown in Fig. 7; the weight of the partand the strength of the spring being such as to cause this movement whenthe rotation of the generator shaft is such as occurs when the engine isrotating at a speed sufiicient to move the vehicle at about l517 mph Thefree .end of the leg 52 terminates in a point disposed in the axial lineof the rotation of the device when it is moved to its maximum positionby centrifugal force. p

Mounted on the generator and overhanging the drive end isa bracket arm55 carrying a normallyopen switch 56 including an operating plunger 57at the free end thereof. The bracket arm 55 further included a pair ofdepending arms 58 at the said free end which arms pivotally support acontact operating member 59; said member including a depending portion60 extending into thepath of operation of the leg 52 of the flyballdevice and a portion 61 extending upwardly across the path of movementof the switch operating plunger 57. The plunger 57 is spring biasedoutwardly and by engagement with the portion 61 of the contact operatingmember it causes the member to follow the inward and outward componentsof the movement of the leg 52 of the flyball device. When the engine isoperating in lower ranges of speed, the flyball device allows theplunger 57 to moveoutwardly to the dotted line position of the member 59which causes the switch to open and break the solenoid operatingcircuit. Asthe speed increases, the plunger 57 is forced inwardlyclosing the switch. p t

Means for disabling the device when the throttle is opened is alsoprovided; said means comprising a reciprocable cable means includingaflexible sheath 62 anda wire 63 slidable therein. One end of the wire63 is attachedto the valve operating lever arm V by a screw 64 and theopposite end of the wire 63 is connected to the free end of the portion61 of the contact operating mem ber through an interposed spring65. Whenthe throttle is opened, the wire 63 will be caused to move the contactmember portion 61 toward the switch beyond the contact making positionwith resultant movement of the end portion 60 thereof to the positionshown in dot and dash lines out of the range of movement of the flyballdevice; the spring 65 allowing the movement of the throttle beyond theinitial opening position and consequentdisabling of the switch operatingmeans. When the throttle is closed, the engine speed will control theopening and closing of the switch. A lead 66 connects theswitch with thebattery or other source of energy, a second lead 67 connects the switchwith one lead of the solenoid valve 1 and a third lead 68 connects theopposite leadof the solenoid with the ground. Thus when the switch isclosed, the solenoid valve means will close the idler jets and allowthem to be open when the engine speed drops below a pre-determinedminimum. The

throttle operated disabling means may be omitted, if desired as shown inFig. 8 in which the same general organization of elements is shown withthe exception of the addition of the biasing spring 69 to insure thatthe contact operating means will follow the flyball device.- Other thanthis addition, the parts have been given the same numbers as inFigs. 5,6 and 7 with the addition of the exponent a.

Referring finally to Fig. 9 there is disclosed an embodiment of thedevice which in general resembles the first disclosed form except forthe omission of the throttle operated switch and the inclusion of athrottle operated vane disabling means as a substitute for the throttleswitch. In view of the fact that many identical parts are employed, suchparts have been given the same identifying numerals as in Fig. 1 withthe addition of the exponent a and will not be further described exceptas necessary to the description of the other parts. i

In this embodiment of the invention the vane carrying arm 26a isprovided with a laterally extending arm 70 at the opposite side of thepivot pm 2711. The throttle operating rod P carries a depending arm 71clamped there to by a screw 72 and the free end of the arm is connectedby an interposed tension spring 73 to one end of a flexible,reciprocable member 74 contained in and guided by a flexiblepsheathelement 75 having one end secured in a bracket 76 securedby one of thecarburetor connecting bolts and having its other end secured in a clampmember 77 extending laterally from the under side of the horizontalbracket member 31a. The clamp member 77 is positioned to locate the endof :the reciprocable member 74. for movement vertically and the member74 extends through an opening in the arm 70 and thence through a guidingopening in the bracketportiou 78 formed in an upward extension of thebracket arm 28a.

The flexible member 74 carriesa stop collar 79 fixed thereto by a setscrew 80, and disposed between the arm 70 and the guide in the bracketportion 78. Additionally, the bracket a-rm 28a carries a torsion spring81 having one end thereof securedthereto by a screw 82 and havmg itsother end extending beneath the set screw 80; said torsion spring beingconstantly operative to urge movement of the adjacent end of theflexible member 74 upwardly in opposition to the pull thereon bytheopenmg of the throttle. The circuit connections are the same as inFig. 10 except that the lead 46 is dispensed with and the lead 47aextends from the solenoid valve to ground.

As shown, the throttle is closedand the spring 81 is holding the collar79 clear of the arm 70, wherefore, the vane 23;: is free to respond tothe action of the fan F to open or close the switch 24a. When thethrottle isopened, the spring 73 overcomes the spring 81 and pulls theflexible member until the collar 79 contacts the arm 70 and moves thevane outwardly .to the extent permitted by the cotter pin 39a. Thistakes place during the first pornon of throttle opening movement andfurther opening of the throttle serves merely to extend the spring 73.In closing the throttle the spring73 gradually relaxes and when relaxedsufficiently, the spring 81 which has been under load, moves thefiexiblemember and the collar upwardly with incident release of the vaneto its controlling funct on as in said first described form of theinvention.

Thls embodiment of the invention is equally. efficient as the said firstdescribed form and is intended for use where the installation of athrottle operated switch is used, it is more readily installed: The-factthat each embodiment has some advantages and some disadvantages notpossessed by other embodiments, andt'he wide variety 7 ofengineconstructions encountered makes it necessary to provide an equivalentvariety of operating means for the solenoid-operated idler jet controlvalve.

"Finally, attention is especially directed to the fact that snapswitches are employed to control the circuit. Ordinary makeandbreakcontact switches'may be used, but such switches operate at the identicalposition of the operating member. They can be used in the presentinvention butimportant operating characteristics will be lost by sodoing. The operating member of a snap switch is moved to one positionstoring power in a spring to movethe-switch contacts to one position andmust be movedor allowed to move to another position before the switchcontacts move to the other position. One desirable feature-of a snapaction switch is the fact that the possibility of chattering contact iseliminated, but the above described movement of the operating member hasamore important and less obvious advantage in connection with theinvention which will now be described.

1 It will be noted that the invention makes use of normally open snapswitches. Due to this choice of switches, the" closing of the'switchwill occur at a somewhat higher rate of engine speed as represented bythe operation of the fly'ball device'or airstream produced by the fanthan will exist at the opening of the switch. Specifically, using Fig.1- as anexample, the switch operating member 34 is shown in switchopening position.- The switch will not be closed until the plunger isdepressed substantially to the face of the switch and it will remainclosed until the plunger has returned to about the position shown. Theresult is that while the switch will be closed with resultant closing ofthe idler jets upon reaching the desired conditions of. speed andthrottle position, the idler jets will not be re-opened by opening ofthe switch until a somewhat lower speed is reached than that whichcaused the opening of the idler jets. Thus, under conditions of coastingdown a grade or rolling up to a stop in which the engine is serving as aretarding means, the

idler jets are not opened to discharge excess fuel into and through theengine as soon as would be the case were simple contact switches to beemployed.

While in the foregoingspecification there have been disclosed certainpresently preferred embodiments of the invention, it is not to beinferred therefrom that the invention is limited to the exact formthereof so disclosed, and it will be understood that the inventionincludes all such changes and modifications in the parts and in theconstruction, combination and arrangement of parts as shall come withinthe purview of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an engine'speed responsive control for vehicle engine carburetors,a normally open, electrically closed solenoid operated v'alvemeansmounted in the carburetor as a replacement for the idler jet adjustingscrew, means electrically connecting the solenoid of said valve meanswith an electrical system including a switch and means responsive to thespeed of the engine effective to close said switch during all times whenthe engine is operating above a predetermined speed with resultantenergization of said solenoid and closure of the idler jet by said valvemeans during said times, said switch and engine speed responsive meansbeing effective to maintain said idler jet valve means closed until andunless the engine speed decreases to a predetermined extent below thespeed at which said switch was closed.

2. In an engine speed responsive control for vehicle engine carburetors,a solenoid operated valve means operable upon energization of thesolenoid component thereof to close the idler jet of the carburetor,means electrically connecting said solenoid component with an electricalsystem including a normally open switch, and devices for closing saidswitch with resultant energization of said solenoid component; saiddevices comprising a vane disposed closely adjacent to the downstreamside of the. engine cooling fan and having a face exposed to 8 the airstream delivered by the fan, means-for supportingsaid vane includingresilient'mea'ns urging said vane in.

opposition to the air stream, and means connecting said vane with saidswitch; said resilient means being proportioned to allow the air streamto move saidvane when the speed of the engine and consequent speed ofthe fan exceeds a predetermined value and said movement of said vanebeing effective to close said switch and energize said solenoid.

3. A control device for the idler jet of a carburetor comprising asolenoid operated valve means attachable to the carburetor as areplacement for the idler jet adjusting screw; said valve meanscomprising an elongated, hollow valve guide having exterior threads atone end thereof engageable with the threads for the idler jet adjustingscrew of the carburetor andhaving a valve guiding bore extendinglongitudinally thereof, a solenoid coil carried by the opposite end ofsaid valve guide and disposed in axial alignment with said bore, a valvemember freely slidable in said bore and having a conical end extendingbeyond said threaded end of said valve guide and adapted to engage theupstream side of the idler jet, an armature attached to the opposite endof said valve member and disposed within said solenoid coil, springmeans normally operative to move said armature and valve member out ofcontact with the idler jet, and means for limiting the extent of axialmovement of said armature and valve member away from the upstream sideof the idler jet.

4. In an engine speed responsive control for the idler jet of a vehicleengine carburetor, a solenoid operated valve means mounted in thecarburetor as a replacement for the idler jet adjusting screw, meanselectrically connecting the solenoid component of said valve means witha source of energy including a first normally open switch disposed inproximity to the carburetor throttle operating means, devices operatedby the throttle operating means effective to close said first switchwhen the throttle approaches closed position, a second normally openswitch and operating devices therefor responsive to the air streamdelivered by the engine cooling fan effective to close said secondswitch during all times when the engine speed and resultant force of theair stream delivered by the fan exceeds a predetermined value.

5. In an engine speed responsive control for vehicle engine carburetors,a solenoid operated valve means operable upon energization of thesolenoid component thereof to close the idler jet of the carburetor,means electrically connecting said solenoid component with an electricalsystem including a normally open switch, and devices for closing saidswitch with resultant energization of said solenoid component; saiddevices comprising a vane disposed closely adjacent to the downstreamside of the engine cooling fan and having a face exposed to theairstream delivered by the fan, means for supporting said vane includingresilient means urging said vane in opposition to the air stream, meansconnectnig said vane with said switch; said resilient means beingproportioned to allow the air stream to move said vane when the speed ofthe engine and consequent speed of the fan exceeds a predetermined valueand said movement of said vane being effective to close said switch andenergize said solenoid, and other devices connected to the throttleoperating means eifective upon opening of the throttle beyond apredetermined extent to disable said vane from responding totheairstream of the fan.

6. In an engine speed responsive control for vehicle engine carburetors,a solenoid operated valvemeans operable upon energization of thesolenoid component thereof to close the idler jet of the carburetor,means electrically connecting said solenoid component with an electricalsystem including a normally open switch, and devices for closing saidswitch with resultant energization ofsaid solenoid component; saiddevices comprising a means responsive to centrifugal force fixed to androtatable with a 9 rotatable component of the engine connected to andoperated by rotation of the engine crankshaft and including a spring, anelement movable against the bias of said spring in response tocentrifugal force derived from rotation of said component above apredetermined rate from aposition nearer to said component to a positionfurther from said component, a follower yieldingly engaging said elementand movable therewith, and means connecting said follower with saidswitch effective upon movement of said follower derived from rotation ofsaid component above said predetermined rate to close said switch withresultant energization of said solenoid and closure of the idler jet.

7. In an engine speed responsive control for vehicle engine carburetors,a solenoid operated valve means operable upon energization of thesolenoid component thereof to close the idler jet of the carburetor,means electrically connecting said solenoid component with an electricalsystem including a normally open switch, and devices for closing saidswitch with resultant energization of said solenoid component; saiddevices comprising a means responsive to centrifugal force fixed to androtatable with a rotatable component of the engine connected to andoperated by rotation of the engine crankshaft and including a spring, anelement movable against the bias of said spring in response tocentrifugal force derived from rotation of said component above apredetermined rate from a position nearer to said component to aposition further from said component, a follower yieldingly engagingsaid element and movable therewith, means connecting said follower withsaid switch effective upon movement of said follower derived fromrotation of said component above said predetermined rate to close saidswitch with resultant energization of said solenoid and closure of theidler jet, and means connected to throttle actuating means and operativeupon opening of the throttle beyond a predetermined extent to disablesaid follower element.

8. In an engine speed responsive control for vehicle engine carburetors,a normally open solenoid valve means mounted in the carburetor as areplacement for the idler jet adjusting screw and including mountingmeans having capacity for adjustment relative to the idler jet orificeto determine the extent of open position; said valve means including avalve element movable into and out of engagement with the upstream sideof the idler jet orifice as it is moved into closed and open positions,respectively, a

solenoid coil, and a reciprocable, para-magnetic armature attached tosaid valve element and mounted for reciprocable movement within saidsolenoid coil and so positioned therein as to be caused to move saidvalve element a into jet closing position upon energization of saidsolenoid coil, an electrical circuit connecting said coil with anelectrical system, and control means for said circuit comprising anormally open switch and devices responsive to engine speed above apredetermined rate to close said switch with resultant completion ofsaid circuit and consequent energization of said coil and closure of theidler jet by said valve means. 7

9. A control means as claimed in claim 8 in which said switch closingdevices include a yieldingly mounted vane disposed at the downstreamside of the engine cooling fan effective to be moved to close saidswitch by the air flow from the fan when the engine speed reaches apredetermined rate.

10. A control means as claimed in claim 8 in which said switch closingmeans includes a device responsive to centrifugal force mounted on arotatable component of the engine driven by the engine crankshaft andincluding a spring and an element movable against the bias of saidspring in response to increasing centrifugal force, a followercontacting said element and devices connecting said follower with saidswitch effective to close said switch when the speed of the enginereaches a predetermined rate.

11. A control means as claimed inclaim 8 which it cludes disabling meansfor said switch operating devices comprising a reciprocable elementhaving one end connected to the throttle operating means of the vehicleand the other end connected to said switch operating devices andeffective upon opening of the throttle beyond a predetermined extenttorender said switch operating devices inoperable to close said switch.

12. A control means as claimed in claim 11 in which saidreciprocableelement at its said other end is connected to said vane and is effectiveto hold said vane moved out of switch operatingposition.

13. A controlmeans as claimed in claim 9 which includes a reciprocableelement having one end thereof connected to the throttle operating meansof the vehicle and the other end thereof attached to said vane andeffective to hold said vane moved out of switch closing position at alltimes when the throttle is moved beyond a predetermined extent of openposition. a

14. A control means as claimed in claim 10 which includes a reciprocableelement having one end connected to the throttle operating means of thevehicle and the other end thereof attached to said follower andelfective to hold said follower out of engagement with said centrifugalforce responsive element and in switch closing position during all timeswhen the throttle is opened beyond a predetermined extent.

15. In an engine speed responsive device for controlling the idler jetof the engine carburetor, a solenoid operated valve means employing theupstream side of the idler jet as a valve seat, means electricallyconnecting said valve means with an electrical system including aswitch, devices responsive to the engine speed elfective to cause saidswitch to effect energization of said valve means with resultant closureof the idler jet when. the engine reaches a predetermined speed; saidswitch thereafter remaining closed until and unless the engine speeddecreases to a predetermined extent below the speed at which said switchwas closed, and other devices connected to the vehicle throttleeffective to disable said speed responsive devices at all times when thethrottle is opened beyond a pre determined extent.

16. In an engine speed responsive means for controlling the idler jet ofthe engine carburetor, a solenoid operative valve means mounted in thecarburetor as a replacement for the idler jet adjusting screw, meanselectrically connecting the solenoid of said valve means with anelectrical system including a snap switch having a reciprocableoperating member movableto. eifect opening and closing of the switchcontacts at different points, respectively, in its path of travel, andengine speed responsive devices engaging said operating member to effectclosing of said idler jet by said valve means when the engine speedreaches and exceeds a predetermined value and thereafter to maintain theidler jet closed until the engine speed drops to a predetermined speedlower than the speed at which the idler jet was closed by said valvemeans.

17. In an engine speed responsive means for controlling.

the idler jet of the engine carburetor, a solenoid operated valve meansmounted in the carburetor as a replacement for the idler jet adjustingscrew, means electrically connecting the solenoid of said valve meanswith an electrical system including a normally open snap switch having areciprocable operating member movable to cause opening and closing ofthe switch contacts at dilferent points, respectively, in its path oftravel, and engine speed responsive devices engaging said operatingmember operative to effect closing of said switch and consequent closingof the idler jet by said valve means when the engine speed reaches apredetermined rate and to maintain said switch closed until the enginespeed drops to a predetermined speed lower than the speed at which itwas closed by said speed responsive devices.

.18. The combination with a carburetor for internal combustion enginesof, speed. responsive devices for controlling fuel flow through theidler jet of the carburetor; said devices comprising an electricallyoperated valve means disposed in the path of fuel flow through thecarburetor idler jet, and devices for actuating said valve meansincluding a snap switch having a reciprocableoperating member movable tocause opening and closing of the switch contacts at different points,respectively, in its path of travel, and engine speed responsive devicesengaging said operating member to effect opening of the idler jet bysaid valve means when the engine speed reaches a predetermined value andthereafter to maintain the idler jet closed until the engine speed dropsto a predetermined speed which is lower than the speed at which theidler jet was closed by said valve means.

19. The combination with a carburetor for internal combustion engines ofspeed responsive devices for controlling fuel flow through thecurburetor idler jet; said devices comprising an electrically operatedvalve means disposed in the path of fuel flow through the carburetoridler jet, and devices for actuating said valve means including anormally open snap switch having a reciprocable operating member movableto cause opening and closing of the switch contacts at different points,respectively, in its path of travel, and engine speed responsive devicesengaging said operating member operative to effect closing of saidswitch and consequent closing of the idler jet by said valve means whenthe engine speed reaches a predetermined rate, and to maintain saidswitch I closed until the engine speed drops to a predetermined ratewhich is lower than the speed at which it was closed by said speedresponsive devices.

, References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

